The motif of “childhood sweethearts” or “incompatible couples” is no longer strange to Korean television. However, when applied at the right time, this general formula always creates a positive effect on viewers. The main couple in “Love Next Door” is a typical example when two childhood friends always quarrel with each other, neither willing to give in.
Lessons for adults: learn to find happiness from imperfections
Starting with a journey to find her roots, "Love Next Door" paints an emotional contrast between the lavish, glamorous life in America and the peace and warmth of her homeland. Seok Ryu, despite her great success in a foreign land, still feels a great void in her soul. Loneliness, fierce competition and invisible pressures in modern society make her gradually realize that material values cannot bring true happiness.
Besides smiles and warm hugs, "Love Next Door" also exposes the hidden corners and secret pains of young people.
The male lead Choi Seung Hyo also encountered many difficulties when establishing his own company. Lacking capital, no customers, a talented architect with countless awards is struggling on the journey to conquer his dream. Pity but also blameworthy is Seok Ryu's mother, a mother who put all her faith and hope in her daughter. So she almost collapsed when she heard that her daughter was unemployed and the engagement was canceled.
Many viewers sympathized with the female lead Seok Ryu because she had to live and work like a machine just to satisfy her parents' expectations. Her words during the argument awakened the hearts of many people. "Why do I always have to be the pride of my mother, I just want to be her daughter, can't I?"...
The film does not hesitate to touch on sensitive social issues and difficulties in life that everyone has experienced.
Sometimes, it is the parents' expectations that put pressure on their children to always succeed. When the fatigue reaches its peak, both parents and children are hurt by their selfish thoughts. Seok Ryu's timely words and his mother's understanding opened a way out for both of them. After all, family is always a peaceful place where people can return to heal their wounds.
Gentle but emotional, making viewers experience a range of emotions.
When healing becomes a "hot trend"
“Healing” is a translation of the original English word “Healing”. “Healing” has long been the name for the movement of seeking recovery and healing of the human soul, emotions, and body. “Healing” or “healing” has become a popular trend when the generation of city dwellers believes that they have to live with too much pressure.
Healing movies have become more popular than ever in recent years.
Before the wave of healing films became a global trend in the post-pandemic era, works such as "Reply," "When The Camellia Blooms" and "Dear My Friends" pioneered the deep emotions in the hearts of audiences. The success of these films has proven the enduring appeal of the genre that focuses on daily life, human relationships and human values.
Young people turn to movies to feel "healed", comforted, and relieved from the pressures of life.
Unlike other genres that often emphasize dramatic tension or escapism, healing films emphasize the process of overcoming life's challenges and finding peace within oneself and the community to which one belongs.
When all the youth are concentrated in the city, with its bright neon lights and bustling pace of life, it is where people seek opportunities and realize their dreams, but it is also a place where they easily get lost and lonely. Only when they return to their hometown, amidst the vast fields and gentle rivers, can they find peace of mind. Here, they are surrounded by the love of their family, share simple stories of the countryside, and feel the true meaning of life.
While not shy about depicting life's hardships, healing films are also known for their positive and hopeful messages. The characters' journeys towards finding peace or achieving their dreams bring a sense of optimism and encourage viewers to believe in miracles in their own lives.
"Reply 1988" seems to be an open book for healing films, reaching a large audience and bringing unexpected success.
Another important aspect is the setting and the calming atmosphere that these dramas often have. The poetic, rustic shots of Hyereung-dong Street, Hong Jin Sea Village, Jeju Island or Ssangmundong Ward in Reply… all create a complete contrast to the hustle and bustle of city life. The idyllic rural life and beautiful nature become a rejuvenating medicine for the soul, providing a mental release from daily stress and creating a space where viewers can relax and reflect.
According to Dr. Dang Thieu Ngan - Korean culture expert: "Urban life in all major cities in many countries is very stressful. Seoul is extremely stressful, especially for large companies and economic groups that set requirements on time and work efficiency for their staff, extremely stressful. When life and work are harsh, highly competitive, and stress due to increasing pressure, movies that depict romantic love, peaceful life... also contribute to balancing the psychology of people in modern Korean society."
